Commissioners expressed concerns about parking, pedestrian safety, noise and potential effects on dogs in a pet hospital next to the restaurant site.

Gutierrez said he hoped to help revitalize the neighborhood with a distinctive type of business with quality design elements. He said it would offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“This is far away from a nightclub,” he said in response to concerns about effects on the neighborhood. “”We’re looking for a little background music, both inside and out. This is not a rock ’n’ roll kind of venue. This is a family restaurant where both young and old can go.”

Gutierrez’s plan called for 126 seats. The building, which dates to 1948, has no off-street parking. Gutierrez planned to provide six off-street parking spaces leased from a business down the street. Apart from that, Rooftop patrons would use whatever parking is available on surrounding streets.

Commissioners said they were concerned that patrons would park across El Camino Real and cross the highway. “We can’t control where they park,” City Planner Jim Pechous said.

Gutierrez said he did sound tests and that ambient noise from the highway is louder than what would come from the restaurant. Neighbors said the testing should have been done at night when people are home and there is less traffic noise.

Neighbor Don Slater supported the project, saying it would generate jobs and help revive an area that has had a lot of failed businesses.

Some commissioners said they could support a smaller restaurant or one without rooftop service but cautioned that it would require a substantial change to the plan.

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